Borough Faces Dredging Dilemma, ‘Tent Cities’ on Beach Draw Fire

STONE HARBOR – For an island resort, the problems of beach replenishment and bay dredging are part of an ongoing fight for survival with nature. 
Sand on the beach and navigable channels in the back bay have been particularly problematic for Stone Harbor in the last two years. At its Sept. 20 work session, borough council heard an update that suggests both goals remain challenges.
Administrator Jill Gougher told the council that the federally funded and much-needed fall beach replenishment “is on hold.” Gougher said that the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Army Corps of Engineers had been proceeding with plans for the replenishment when they ran into unexpected opposition from U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
The nod of approval from Fish and Wildlife has been routinely obtained for the regular replenishment efforts, but “not this time,” Gougher said.
The reason for the delay was unclear in Gougher’s presentation, but it had to do with the proposed borrow area for the sand – Hereford Inlet.
Without approval to take sand from the borrow area, the borough has no source of sand for replenishment.
An added problem was that the decision from Fish and Wildlife was not known until the close of the bid period for the project, potentially invalidating the bids.
This year there was a plan for replenishment of beaches in Avalon and Stone Harbor as well as the full length of Cape May from the Coast Guard Training Center to Cape May Point.
The Cape May project should experience no impact from the Hereford Inlet issue. That inlet is also not the source of sand for Avalon.
Dredging has been a problem for the borough since the first phase of the effort was closed by DEP earlier this year.
The hydraulic approach tried by the borough’s contractor, Sevenson Environmental, did not work well resulting in two instances when DEP halted the dredging. This year, Sevenson and the borough have proposed a permit change that would allow a mechanical approach and the use of Portland cement mixed into the dredge material to speed up dewatering.
Residents in the vicinity of the dewatering site at the 80th Street marina have continued to oppose the use of a residential site for dewatering. The borough and its contractor have argued that all other alternatives for this cycle were closed to them and that the marina site must be used. 
Those opposed have filed their concerns and questions during an open public comment period, and the borough through its contractor has responded.
It does not appear that DEP or the Army Corps will require a formal public hearing. The decision on the permit modification rests with the agencies.
Meanwhile, Sevenson is mobilizing for the project at its own risk hoping to be able to start immediately when permit approval is obtained. Gougher explained that Sevenson has brought in heavy equipment, located barges, and scows for the project and that the dewatering site would begin to be sealed as of Sept. 21.
She also admitted that there is no schedule for the dredging effort. The Army Corps and DEP have provided no dates on when their review of the permit modification application will be complete. The contractor hoped to begin this month and to be completed and out of the borough by Christmas. Sevenson has told the borough that they expect eventual approval for the modification.
Tents on the Beach
Council began a discussion about complaints from some beach goers that tents erected on the beaches have caused problems. Concern about the potential difficulties caused by large tents anchored at the beaches was shared as well by the Beach Patrol.
The difficulty appears to stem from the practice of some large groups to erect tents attached to other tents and strung along significant sections of beach. 
Council member Mantura Gallagher, head of council’s Recreation and Tourism Committee of Council, said the result is “mini-cities where people even hang out laundry and leave their tents in place overnight.
Complaints include the fact that some feel “pushed off” guarded beaches by the tent communities. 
Many also raised concerns of navigating the long string of tents to move freely to and from the water.
The Beach Patrol headquarters area also finds the view of the water from the building can be obstructed by the tents.
Council was urged to consider some form of regulation that would prevent tent cities from usurping the beaches, but caution was also urged, especially by Council member Joan Kramar, that council should not go too far and disrupt something that is an important draw for tourism in the borough.
Gallagher said that the council has only heard from those who have complained. She urged the public “to provide input” on the issue pro and con. “We have until next season to sort through this,” she said.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.